A few years before the release of George Lucas' "American Graffiti", another film was released that dealt with the loneliness, friendship, and disillusionment of youngsters in a small American town. That would be Peter Bogdanovich's wonderful 1971 release "The Last Picture Show". It would garner several Oscar nominations and launch the careers of several young actors including Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Bridges, and Cybill Shepherd. In the early 1950's two high school seniors Sonny (Timothy Bottoms) and Duane (Jeff Bridges) are best friends who's main interests are cars, Hank Williams, hanging at the local pool hall, and girls. The chasm between following your heart and your libido is in fact one of the central themes of the film. There are other characters all given great tender performances by the likes of Ellen Burstyn, Cloris Leachman, and Ben Johnson. The central characters, the ones the film mainly revolves around are Sonny and Duane. There is a tremendous arc to their characters and they go through changes and predicaments that will shape their destinies but ultimately we are left wondering whether they will get out of this dismal, near-empty Texas town. The reason for the title is that the local cinema is shutting down for lack of attendance and we are given a sad glimpse into this theatre when the boys actually attend the last picture show. It is Howard Hawks' "Red River" and we are left wondering whether the near-adults of Bogdanovich's film could ever find the kind of male mentor that Montgomery Clift finds in John Wayne in Hawk's great western.
The film is shot in black and white as an homage and imitation of films from the time this film is set. The jarring editing shows the director's appreciation of French New Wave films from the late 50's and early 60's. This is truly a masterful cinematic experience and an endearing glimpse into adolescence on the brink of adulthood.
No comments:
Post a Comment